Reviewing How the EU Spent Its Money in 2024

The European Parliament's Review of the EU Budget

The European Parliament (EP) completed a review of how the European Union (EU) spent its money in 2024. This review was conducted by the Court of Auditors, which acts as the EU's external auditor.

The EP's decision, known as a discharge, signifies that the Parliament approves the Court of Auditors' work and gives the Court the green light to continue its operations.

Parliament's Decision

The Parliament's decision included three main points:

• Discharge Granted: The EP officially approved the Court of Auditors' work on the 2024 EU budget.
• Observations Attached: The EP provided its own comments and suggestions. These are not new rules but serve as guidance for the Court and other EU bodies.
• Communication: The final decision will be shared with the Council, the Commission, and the Court, and published in the Official Journal of the EU.

How the Court Spent the 2024 Budget

The Court's total budget for 2024 was €13.3 billion, representing 6.9% of the entire EU budget.

Key spending areas included:

• Staff Costs: This was the largest expense, accounting for 69% of the Court's spending (salaries, pensions, etc.).
• Buildings & IT: The Court spent €5.7 million on its physical infrastructure and technology.
• Mission Costs: €2.86 million was allocated for staff travel, training, and missions.
• Other: The remaining 10.5% covered equipment, energy, and communications.

Overall, the spending was highly efficient:

• 97.3% of the money planned for spending was actually used.
• 94.8% of the money promised was paid out.
• The Court maintained a quick payment process, keeping the average time to pay invoices below 11 days.

Key Achievements in 2024

The Court reported significant activity across several areas:

• Audits: The Court examined 70 transactions. While 16 (23%) contained errors, the overall level of error was considered acceptable.
• Reports: 40 reports were published, covering annual, specific, special, and review topics.
• Recommendations: The Court successfully implemented 93% of the recommendations it had made back in 2020.
• Technology: The Court upgraded its website, adopted a secure remote-access system, and began using AI tools like Microsoft Copilot.
• Security: It adopted password-less login and zero-trust principles, and conducted a major cybersecurity exercise.
• Environment: Emissions dropped by 15% since 2014. Energy use also decreased, falling 24% for electricity and 22% for heating.

Parliament's Main Observations

The Parliament highlighted several areas where the Court should improve its work:

• Scope of Audits: The Parliament requested that the Court audit all EU institutions and agencies, not just a select few.
• Data Access: The Court needs full, real-time access to key EU data systems (such as ARACHNE and FENIX) to speed up its audits.
• Gender Balance: Although women make up 54% of the staff, they only hold 30% of senior roles. The Parliament urged for better gender balance.
• Transparency: The Court should continue improving how it displays its spending and how it audits other EU bodies.
• Ethics: The Court must clarify its rules regarding when it can lift immunity for staff investigated by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
• Anti-Fraud: The Court should join the EU’s Transparency Register and maintain close cooperation with OLAF and the EPPO.
• Sustainability: While the sustainability report was praised, the Parliament requested more progress on reducing paper use and waste.

Future Focus Areas

The Court plans to continue focusing on several key areas:

• Expanding Audits: It will continue its effort to audit every EU institution and agency.
• Improving Data: It is working with the Commission to gain full, timely access to major databases.
• Gender Equality: It will continue monitoring and improving the representation of women in senior roles.
• Digitalization: It will roll out AI tools, enhance cybersecurity, and maintain its accessible website.
• Environment: It will continue efforts to cut energy use, reduce paper, and support green purchasing.

Broader context

The discharge procedure is a key part of the EU’s financial accountability system. Every year, the European Parliament reviews how the EU’s institutions—like the Court of Auditors—spent their budgets. This process ensures that public funds are used legally, efficiently, and for their intended purpose. The Court of Auditors itself is the EU’s independent external auditor, responsible for checking the finances of all EU institutions, agencies, and bodies.

The 2024 discharge is part of the EU’s annual budget cycle, which includes planning, spending, reporting, and oversight. The Court of Auditors plays a unique role: it not only manages its own budget but also audits the spending of the entire EU budget, which in 2024 was over €190 billion. The Parliament’s approval (discharge) confirms that the Court’s own spending was transparent and well-managed.

The Court’s work is especially important because it helps prevent fraud, waste, and mismanagement in EU funds, which affect everything from agriculture and infrastructure to research and humanitarian aid. The Parliament’s observations often push for reforms, better transparency, and stronger controls across the EU’s financial systems.

Impact on people living in the EU

The Court of Auditors’ work directly and indirectly affects EU citizens in several ways:

Financial accountability
The discharge process ensures that taxpayer money is spent responsibly. This means funds for programs like farm subsidies, regional development, or COVID-19 recovery are less likely to be misused.

Trust in EU institutions
By approving the Court’s work, the Parliament reinforces public trust in how the EU manages its budget. This trust is crucial for citizens to support EU policies and projects.

Better services and policies
The Court’s audits and recommendations lead to improvements in EU programs. For example, if errors are found in how funds are distributed, corrections can ensure that schools, hospitals, or roads receive the funding they need.

Transparency and access to information
The Parliament’s call for better data access and communication means citizens may get clearer, more accessible information about how EU money is spent. This includes reports on NGO funding, environmental projects, or digital initiatives.

Environmental and digital progress
The Court’s focus on sustainability (like reducing energy use and emissions) and digital tools (like AI and cybersecurity) can lead to greener, more efficient public services that benefit everyone in the EU.

Gender equality
The push for more women in senior roles at the Court sets an example for other EU institutions, promoting fairer representation in decision-making that affects all citizens.

Anti-fraud measures
Stronger collaboration with OLAF (the EU’s anti-fraud office) and the EPPO (European Public Prosecutor’s Office) helps protect EU funds from corruption and fraud, ensuring money goes to its intended purposes.